Griot Sessions — A 40 week Creative Writing class
Course overview
40 week-long class guiding students to become storytellers inspired by West African griots — keepers of history, music, and truth.
Students read legends, fables, and cultural stories from around the world, then write original pieces in their own voice.
Focus: studying timeless tales for structure, symbolism, character, and deeper meaning, and applying those lessons to original work.
What students will learn
Creative writing: craft original stories in multiple forms (short fiction, mythic retellings, spoken-word).
Story structure and character development: plot, pacing, archetypes, conflict, and transformation.
Cultural awareness: respectful engagement with global storytelling traditions and contexts.
Spoken-word and storytelling confidence: performance techniques, voice, pacing, and audience connection.
Critical thinking and moral reflection: analyzing themes, symbols, ethical dilemmas, and contemporary relevance.
How the class works
Reading and analysis: close reading of selected tales to identify structure, symbolism, and character arcs.
Writing workshops: regular prompts, drafting, peer feedback, and revision cycles.
Story labs: exercises to adapt motifs, reimagine perspectives, and blend traditions into original work.
Performance sessions: practiced spoken-word or oral storytelling presentations to build confidence.
Reflection and ethics: discussions on cultural appropriation, attribution, and responsible storytelling.
Stories and traditions we may explore (with key themes)
The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Greek fable — Aesop)
Themes: honesty, consequences, trust and credibility.
Anansi the Spider (West African & Caribbean folklore)
Themes: trickster intelligence, resilience, wit over force, transmission across diaspora.
The Tortoise and the Hare (Aesop’s fable)
Themes: patience, discipline, steady effort versus hubris.
The Legend of Sundiata (Mali Empire epic)
Themes: destiny, perseverance, leadership, cultural history and hero origin.
The Empty Pot (Chinese folktale)
Themes: integrity, moral courage, standing up to pressure.
Native American Coyote Tales
Themes: trickster wisdom, humor, cultural insight, relationship to land and community.
Outcomes and final projects
Portfolio of original written pieces showing growth in craft and voice.
A recorded or live spoken-word/storytelling showcase where each student presents a polished piece.
A reflective essay on the student’s approach to cultural material, ethical choices, and what it means to be a modern griot.
Who this class is for
Beginners through advanced writers interested in myth, folklore, and oral tradition.
Students wanting to build writing craft, performance skills, and cultural literacy.
Anyone eager to tell meaningful, ethical stories that reflect their time and truth.
Instructor approach
Guided, supportive instruction with structured feedback and emphasis on respectful study of source traditions.
Emphasis on student voice: tools and techniques are taught to help each learner become their own modern griot.